Dootone Rock N' Rhythm & Blues

by N/A

Overview

Dootone was one of many notable Los Angeles independent labels releasing R&B and early rock & roll in the mid-'50s, though it wasn't on the same level, musically or commercially, as Specialty and Modern. This gathers 28 Dootone cuts from the mid- to late '50s that generally lean toward the jump blues and jazzy R&B end of things, though there's some honkin' sax rock & roll too. In fact, most of the artists were pretty important figures in the scene, though many would contend that their best work was done for other labels: Roy Milton, Helen Humes, Chuck Higgins, and Joe Houston (though the last is represented by just one track, the 1958 single "Shindig"). These kind of styles were passing their peak by the mid-'50s, and while the artists hadn't lost their energy or skills, the songs do sound on the routine and samey-sounding side. Miss Mickey Champion fronts two songs by Roy Milton's orchestra, and these stand out a little due to her saucy, slightly raunchy vocals. The duo of Lorenzo Holden and Ernie Freeman also contributes to variety with their two organ instrumentals. Overall it's one for those who just can't get enough of the urbane-to-rough 1950s Los Angeles R&B sound, and not among the best anthologies of the style. ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	04/16/2002
Label:	Ace
UPC:	0029667183925
Rank:	148466

Tracks

1. Baby I'm Gone  - Roy Milton
2. Cry Some Baby  - Roy Milton
3. Fools Are Getting Scarcer  - Roy Milton
4. I Can't Go On  - Dave Bartholomew  - Fats Domino  - Roy Milton
5. You Got Me Reeling and Rocking  - Roy Milton  - Dootsie Williams
6. Nothing Left  - Roy Milton
7. Bam-A-Lam  - Mickey Champion  -  Champion
8. I'm a Woman  - Mickey Champion  - Jerry Leiber  - Mike Stoller  -  Champion
9. I Never Would Have Made It  - Roy Milton
10. I Want to Go Home  - Roy Milton
11. Groovy Boogie  - Ernie Freeman  - Lorenzo Holden  -  Lorenzo Holden & Ernie Freeman
12. Just Blues  - Ernie Freeman  - Lorenzo Holden  -  Lorenzo Holden & Ernie Freeman
13. Woojamacooja  - Helen Humes  - Rudy Render
14. All I Ask Is Your Love  - Helen Humes
15. Real Fine Daddy  - Helen Humes
16. I'll Surrender Anytime  - Helen Humes
17. The Itch  - Chuck Higgins  -  Chuck Higgins & His Band
18. Looking for My Baby  - Chuck Higgins
19. Wet Back Hop  - Chuck Higgins
20. Tonky Honk  - Chuck Higgins
21. Don't You Know I Love You Baby  - Franklyn Dunn  - Chuck Higgins
22. Hey Dig  - Chuck Higgins
23. Here I'm Is  - Chuck Higgins
24. Gamblin' Woman  - Ravon Darnell  -  Chuck Higgins & His Band
25. Eye Ballin'  - Chuck Higgins
26. So Fine  - Claude McLin
27. You're Lookin' Good  - Claude McLin
28. Shindig  - Joe Houston

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Lorenzo Holden & Ernie Freeman   Primary Artist
Mickey Champion & The Roy Milton Orchestra   Primary Artist
Chuck Higgins & His Band   Primary Artist
Mickey Champion   Primary Artist
Joe Houston   Primary Artist
Roy Milton   Primary Artist
Ernie Freeman   Primary Artist
Lorenzo Holden   Primary Artist
Chuck Higgins   Primary Artist
Claude McLin   Primary Artist
Helen Humes   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Bob Porter   Compilation Producer
Mike Stoller   Composer
Duncan Cowell   Mastering
Dave Bartholomew   Composer
Helen Humes   Composer,Performer
Dootsie Williams   Composer
Ernie Freeman   Composer
Mickey Champion   Composer
Franklyn Dunn   Composer
Ravon Darnell   Composer
Rudy Render   Composer
Roy Milton   Performer,Composer
Jerry Leiber   Composer
Lorenzo Holden   Performer,Composer
Fats Domino   Composer
Joe Houston   Performer,Composer
Claude McLin   Performer,Composer
Chuck Higgins   Performer,Composer
Brian Burrows   Package Design